Las Vegas Sands President: 'We'll be at head of class' after pandemic

July 30, 2020
By

Las Vegas Sands President Robert Goldstein defended CEO Sheldon Adelson’s decision to pay Las Vegas employees through the end of October, telling CNBC it was the morally right thing to do.

Adelson pledged to pay 8,000 employees in Las Vegas full salary and benefits through 31 October. 

“We’re taking a long term view,” Goldstein said during a CNBC interview. “The short term view to furlough people and cut costs, and that’s doable. The Adelson family has chosen a different approach.

“We also believe business wise when things do return we’ll build a team that lasts a long time to come. When business recovers we’ll be at the head of the class.” 

The Venetian Las Vegas reopened on 4 June. 

Las Vegas Sands also owns the Sands Expo and Convention Center, which has taken a hit with numerous convention cancelations into next year. 

CES, the annual trade show that brings more than 100,000 people to Las Vegas each year, announced this week that it will move fully online for 2021. 

“CES is the best of the best as far as Las Vegas shows go,” Goldstein said. “It’s not a good thing for the city. It’s hurtful short term, but we have an air lift problem as well. Vegas needs to fill all these rooms all the time at high rates. CES and shows like it drive that business. We can’t be a regional drive-in destination for California.” 

Las Vegas Sands reported a $985m loss during Q2, or 97%. Sands China Ltd saw a quarterly net loss of $549m. 

Goldstein said the lack of international travel from Asia to Las Vegas will hamper growth in the upcoming months. 

“We’re in for some more pain around here,” Goldstein said. “What changes it? Probably is a vaccine or immunity or something that changes the consumer perception of this virus. I don’t see that happening short term.” 

State-by-State

Product Spotlight

CasinoTrac

CasinoTrac is reducing handpay downtime by nearly 90% with SlotSUITE's Self-Pay & W-2 G printing at the slot machine.
GA HUDDLE #086

Michael Hershman - Dispelling casino 'myths:' New York needs to lose fear of the unknown

Michael Hershman, CEO of the Soloviev Group, joins Tim Poole on the Huddle to put forward his case that the Freedom Plaza is the way to go for one of New York's casino licences. He fields a variety of questions - not shying away from any of them - on why 'myths' about casinos and a fear of the unknown should be dispelled, as well as acknowledging the strength of rival bids and discussing opposition to the project.
GA HUDDLE #085

Christian Smith - Slot machines a "beautiful intersection of psychology and mathematics"

Bluberi's Christian Smith speaks to Gaming America in an enlightening Huddle. Topics include: the 'Australification' of US gambling, the blending of psychology and mathematics, and the rising trend of three-pot fillers.

As the Tribal gaming sector congregates once more in the Golden State, is it too cliché of me to suggest we are heading for a golden era of Tribal gaming? With the industry set to meet at the Indian Gaming Association t...

10-11-From-the-top
From The Top: Will youth be served by Sports Betting?
Two recent interviews in our Huddle podcast revealed to Las Vegas correspondent Brian Joseph just how young sports betting entrepreneurs are becoming.
12-GA-MAR-10-year-v2
The Global Gaming Awards: Rewarding Excellence
The 10th edition of the Global Gaming Awards took place in Las Vegas last year. Gaming America looks back... and ahead to this year's.
16-18-IGA-Preview
Preview: Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention
Gaming America looks ahead to the 2024 Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention and what attendees can expect when they arrive at the Anaheim Convention Centre.
20-22-GA-Mar-888-Holding-article
888 and the US Market: A cautionary tale
Gaming America explores the risk of resting on your laurels and the challenge of remaining relevant in a rapidly expanding market.